BCA Sports - Topics from March, 2017

Bethlehem Christian Academy was able to amass a three-run lead going into the top of the fifth inning of Saturday’s home game against the Heritage School, but the Hawks scored two runs in the fifth and two in the top of the seventh to edge out the Knights 5-4 in a GISA Region 1-AAA battle. It was also a tough loss for BCA starting pitcher Tanner Still. Still allowed just three runs on seven hits, struck out five and walked one in six innings of work.
“It was tough. Tanner has pitched an unbelievable year,” BCA coach Matt Nicks said. “He’s been throwing lights out. They (Heritage) just hit. That’s a good ball team right there. I’m proud of the way we played. We fought all the way to the last inning. I’m proud of the way we played.”
See more in the March 29 issue of the Barrow News-Journal.

The Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team came into Tuesday’s rivalry game against Loganville Christian hoping to score a big win.
However, the Lions had a big first inning in which they scored four runs, including a three-run home run by Mason Gaines en route to a 9-1 victory over the Knights in a GISA Region 1-AAA battle.
“That was a tough first inning. That really set the tone for the ballgame. Had that first inning been different, I believe the ball game would have been different,” BCA coach Matt Nicks said. “They (Loganville) are a good, well-coached team. We left some balls up and they hit the ball. We’ll get back after it tomorrow.”
BCA (2-8-1, 1-3 region) threatened in its half of the second inning when Patrick Wallace led off with a single. After Michael Tuscano flew out, Tristen Green singled, moving Wallace over to second and in scoring position. However, Chase Roseland lined out and Josh Farr flew out to end the inning.
The Knights return to action Thursday with an away non-region game at Westminster Christian at 4:30 p.m.
For the full story, see the March 22 issue of the Barrow News-Journal.

Pitching has been a steady presence for Bethlehem Christian Academy in the early part of the season, but the Knights got off to a tough start with an offense slow to come out of the gate.
Tuesday it all came together as the Knights routed Holy Spirit Prep at home, 10-0, in their GISA Region 1-AAA opener.
The win moved the Knights to 2-6-1 overall and 1-0 in the region.
“It’s always good to start the region schedule out with a win,” BCA coach Matt Nicks said. “We pitched well. The bats were a little slow to start out, but then we started to heat up there toward the end of the game. Once we get those bats warmed up, we can get it rolling from there.”
BCA resumes its schedule Thursday with a trip to Trinity Christian, Sharpsburg for another region matchup at 6:30 p.m.

If there’s one main challenge the Bethlehem Christian Academy baseball team will face in the early going this season, it will be putting together solid team chemistry.
The Knights lost nine seniors off last year’s team, which again made the GISA Class AAA playoffs, continuing the school’s winning tradition, which has already produced a pair of state titles.
Only a handful of players who either started last season or have any meaningful varsity experience return, but Knights coach Matt Nicks said he is hopeful this year’s team can be successful.
“We had a really good group last year that had been playing together for years,” Nicks said. “But I see the bond in this year’s group starting to grow. There are a lot of new faces and a few faces that have been in the system, but are really getting to play now.”[Full Story »]